Memorial weekend…the unofficial start of summer. BBQ’s, picnics and family gatherings. During this weekend, be sure to take a moment to remember a Veteran who served to protect us and the great country.

Rates are down a touch this week as the 10-year treasury yields eased. Since it is Memorial Day, I wanted to remind you the benefits of a VA Loan.

No money down

Lender or seller credit for costs so Veteran brings in zero dollars to close

Unlimited loan amounts. Did you know that? We just funded a $2 million VA loan.

Higher qualifying ratios allowed.

Detached condos don’t need to be approved by VA like regular condo projects

A Veteran with a disability of 10% or more will not have a funding fee.

Nothing inspires Linda Briske more than making a difference in the lives of Maui’s youth.

As recently featured in the Maui News, Briske, a broker and realtor for Island Sotheby’s International Realty, has been volunteering with Kids Hope USA for nearly a decade. The nonprofit works to pair youth with adult mentors to help them with everything from school work to simply being there to listen.

Kids Hope USA is a nonprofit that nurtures relationships between church volunteers and schools to ensure children have a responsible adult to spend time with. For an hour a week, Briske meets with a student at Kula Elementary School to work one-on-one on things such as reading, math and writing. Briske has tutored students from kindergarten to fifth

Island Sotheby’s International Realty agents help people buy and sell hundreds of magnificent properties on Maui — but some are truly more exceptional than others.

During the first quarter of 2017, Island Sotheby’s agents helped close numerous property sales, ranging from selling rockstar’s estates to finding buyers for luxury ocean-view condominiums. Here are a few of our noteworthy sales of 2017’s first quarter:

5520 Makena Road, Makena, Hawaii 96753

This 5,400-square-foot beachfront Makena estate sold for $15.5 million, marking the first significant sale of 2017. The four-bedroom, seven-bath home in the resort area of South Maui, is surrounded by tropical gardens and panoramic views of Maui’s south coast.

For many Hawaii is paradise, but for some the price of paradise means struggling to put food on the table.

Because of this, Ka Hale A Ke Ola has provided some of the island’s homeless residents with emergency shelter and hot meals. The nonprofit also provides education, childcare and counseling services to some of the island’s most low-income residents.

Ka Hale A Ke Ola welcomes in volunteers to feed meals to their residents — something Island Sotheby’s agents have been doing for years. Just recently, several agents joined together to prepare and serve dozens of meals and lend a helping hand to those in need.

“It is a great service project and allows us the opportunity to come together as a group and prepare and serve a nutritious

Finding a home on the West side can be challenging — especially for the island’s families.

Fortunately for some of them, owning a home will soon be made possible because ʻĀina Lani Pacific, a local housing developer, is building more than 30 affordable homes in Kaʻanapali. Island Sotheby’s International Realty is honored to be representing the developer of this new community, Kaiaulu.

Groundbreaking and blessing for the project, 20 April 2017

“This project is a tremendous (step) in the right direction,” said Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa. “We’ve got to get away from the, ‘don’t build anything,’ (and move) to, ‘how do we take care of our community and make the quality of life for people in our community affordable?’”

From the mystical marine works of Christian Riese Lassen to Curtis Wilson’s landscape paintings of lush Upcountry fields, Maui has inspired — and been home — to several acclaimed artists throughout the decades.

And there’s nothing more helpful for artists than being inspired by where they live — and better yet, to be able to work in the space they call home. Fortunately for those looking to live and make art on Maui, the island is home to several unique estates that offer workshops and art studios. The homes themselves are masterpieces. Here are some of our favorites:

315 Pauwela Road, Haiku, Hawaii 96708

Wake up to the sound of birds calling, and sip your coffee on the covered lanai, surrounded by tropical flora and fauna. This timeless